James is a lot of things:

Family man, ex-Marine, Firefighter, Nerd, Marketing expert....

James is also a part of the BA Shields team and is actually the person behind our marketing process, website and internal Customer Resource Management system that allows us to get our customers timely custom renderings and tracks the customers through the approval process.

Join the team as we talk with James about all things market, even down into the psychology of the buyer and values instilled by your products or services.

Everyone can come up with an idea to bring to market, but how do you tell others that your idea is worth their hard earned money?

Join us and Andy and James of Axe Head Threads, a firefighter family owned and operated apparel business in Indiana. We literally met last year at FDIC and were takin in like family. One of our favorite parts about FDIC week now every year is meeting up with these guys!

Firefighters of all ranks themselves they make quality screened and embroidered apparel for departments across the nation!

In this episode we discuss how Axe Head came to be and some of the struggles that small businesses go through. It isn't all glamour as an entrepreneur, and Andy and James discuss some of the royal mess ups they made coming up. We also talk about the importance of knowing your responsibilities both in the fire house and as a partnership and why staying in your lane can equate to efficiency and dollars!

You're a police officer, medic, or firefighter. In between calls to service you ponder what else you could be doing. Maybe you have a love for cars? Maybe you like to cook? Then BAM like a freight train it hits you......

Your business idea!

You have the idea, now what?!

In our Fast 5 Episodes we will discuss the 20 Questions that Dan Fleyshman and Brandon Hampton recommend asking yourself before you go into business, from their book 'How to Set Up Your Business for Under $1000'

1. How will I manage my business?
2. How will I advertise my business?
3. What kind of insurance do I need?
4. What are some available resources in business?

Ok so maybe not 5 questions in this episode but we hope you got some value! Stay tuned for more on how to get started in business from the BA Shields team!

You're a police officer, medic, or firefighter. In between calls to service you ponder what else you could be doing. Maybe you have a love for cars? Maybe you like to cook? Then BAM like a freight train it hits you......

Your business idea!

You have the idea, now what?!

In our Fast 5 Episodes we will discuss the 20 Questions that Dan Fleyshman and Brandon Hampton recommend asking yourself before you go into business, from their book 'How to Set Up Your Business for Under $1000'

1. How soon will it take until my products and services are available?
2. How long until I start to make a profit?
3. Who is my competition?
4. How will I price my product compared to my competition?
5. How will I set up the legal structure of my business?

Check out our prior episode if you missed it and make sure to tune in next week for another Fast 5 Episode.

You're a police officer, medic, or firefighter. In between calls to service you ponder what else you could be doing. Maybe you have a love for cars? Maybe you like to cook? Then BAM like a freight train it hits you......

Your business idea!

You have the idea, now what?!

In our Fast 5 Episodes we will discuss the 20 Questions that Dan Fleyshman and Brandon Hampton recommend asking yourself before you go into business, from their book 'How to Set Up Your Business for Under $1000'

1. What differentiates my business idea and the products or services I will provide from others in the market?
2. Where is my business going to be located?
3. How many employees will I need?
4. What types of suppliers do I need?
5. How much money will I need to start and do I need a loan?

Check out our prior episode if you missed it and make sure to tune in next week for another Fast 5 Episode.

You're a police officer, medic, or firefighter. In between calls to service you ponder what else you could be doing. Maybe you have a love for cars? Maybe you like to cook? Then BAM like a freight train it hits you......

Your business idea!

You have the idea, now what?!

In our Fast 5 Episodes we will discuss the 20 Questions that Dan Fleyshman and Brandon Hampton recommend asking yourself before you go into business, from their book 'How to Set Up Your Business for Under $1000'

1. Why am I starting my business?
2. What kind of business do I want?
3. Who is my ideal customer?
4. What products or services will my business provide?
5. Am I prepared to spend the time and money to get my business started?

This episode features the host's business: BA Shields.

BA Shields is the leading business in the fire service for limited visibility and blackout training as well as provides the only non-consumable, ergonomic SCBA lens protection on the market, as well as being owned and operated by firefighters.

This episode dives into how Cody and Pat started the business, what owning and scaling is like, and a kick in the pants for those who have objections to business and starting something from scratch.

Join the crew as they discuss Brotherhood, and business!

In this episode, join Pat, Andy and Cody as the team from BA Shields explores what Brotherhood and Business is all about!

Brotherhood and Business is a podcast that focuses on what it takes to be an active first responder in EMS, Fire, or Law Enforcement and jump into the deep end of Entrepreneurship.

This episode is the why behind the movement, as well as what the future holds for this new and exciting podcast!